A young Nigerian secondary school student has become the latest victim of fraudsters at Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, after losing his hard-earned ₦16,000 to cunning scammers who gave him paper instead of the electronic device he intended to purchase.
Heartbreaking Scene at Computer Village
The unfortunate incident was captured in a viral TikTok video posted by user @o.18496, showing the visibly distressed student being questioned about what transpired during his visit to the popular technology market. The video, which has sparked widespread reactions across social media platforms, reveals the moment the young man realized he had been duped.
In the emotional footage, the student could be seen holding a piece of paper - the worthless item he received in exchange for his ₦16,000. When asked how much money he lost, the boy confirmed the amount was ₦16,000, a significant sum for any secondary school student in Nigeria.
Social Media Reactions Pour In
The viral video has triggered an outpouring of responses from Nigerians who have either experienced similar situations or expressed sympathy for the young victim. Comments on the post ranged from humorous takes to serious warnings about the prevalence of such scams at Computer Village.
One user named Big Smoke commented in pidgin: "Gba saturday gbe sunday fun," while another user Skiddo pointed out the obvious: "Them give am 16 paper." The user obj expressed disbelief, asking: "New Paper… WHY?! Oboy."
Another commenter sharing a personal experience wrote: "lol nearly happened to me 2018 haha," indicating that this type of scam has been ongoing for years at the popular technology hub.
Not an Isolated Incident
This case mirrors previous reports of fraudulent activities at Computer Village. In a similar incident reported by Legit.ng, a young man attempting to purchase an iPhone 11 Pro Max was instead sold an iPhone 6 with Vitamin C tablets cleverly attached to mimic the more expensive phone's triple camera system.
Another report detailed how a Nigerian youth was given cardboard cut to the size of cash instead of actual money during a transaction at the same location. These repeated incidents highlight the need for increased vigilance when conducting business at technology markets in Nigeria.
The student's experience serves as a stark reminder to all Nigerians, especially young people visiting technology markets, to exercise extreme caution and verify transactions thoroughly before handing over money. As technology scams become increasingly sophisticated, consumers must stay informed about common fraudulent schemes to protect their hard-earned money.
